Problem: Kohlberg's Stage Theory of Moral Reasoning
We are born into this world without a prescribed set of rules for what we should do in any given situation. Our values are a product of our interactions with our cultural environment. The foremost theorists in value development are Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg. According to their models individuals can be seen to grow through several stages of ever-increasing complex, value orientation from infant to adult. Table 2-1 shows the basic stages and the source of the value orientation using the Kohlberg model. TABLE 2-1 Orientation of Stages STAGE AGES CHARACTERISTICS Preconventional 3-7 Punishment/Obedience Egotism (satisfy one's desires) Conventional 7-12 Please others Respect rules Postconventional 12 and above Social contract Personal conscience Kohlberg's technique in developing his model was to observe and interview children and adults and to pose moral dilemmas, which he would then ask them to puzzle out verbally so he could follow their reasoning. Need Assignment Help?